Gripper for printing-presses



(No Model.) -l 0 P. X. MULLER.

GRIPPER FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

No. 500,000. Patented Nov. 21, 1893.

m: mlflcmn. LIYNOGRAPHING ooMPAuY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK XAVIER MULLER, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

GRIPPER FOR PRlNTING-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,090, dated November 21, 1893.

Application filed February 23, 1893. Serial No. 463,338. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, FRANK XAVIER MULLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grippers for Printing- Presses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventiomsuch as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This invention relates to the construction of the bar and fingers in connection therewith, used for holding the sheet (after being printed) from returning with the form; and the invention as constructed will be understood by reference to the following specification and drawings, in which- Figurel, is a top plan of the whole device; Fig. 2, an edge View of the bar; Fig. 3, a crosssection through the bar showing side view of one finger.

A, is the steel bar, attached to the platen or bed (not shown) of the press in the usual manner. It is constructed with a longitudinal slot b through it, the ends and middle parts only being solid; the middle one a, prevents the springing of the bar in or out. In the'slot b, are set the fingers B, B, their heads 0, flat, to fit in the flat slot, and having a solid guard d, on the finger part setting against the edge of the bar A, the fingers standing out at exact right-angles from the bar, under which the paper sheet goes. The extreme head 6, of the fingers projects beyond the bar and each is provided with a flat spring or cramp-spring f, with downwardly bent edges which engage withteeth formed on the edge of the bar for that purpose. The ends of the springs maybe kept from swinging laterally off the bar by slitting it longitudinally toward the center and bending the central portion into a tongue 1' which will project down into the slot of the bar. The fiat spring is held-in place byacoiled spring g, arotund the handle, and kept in place by a nu The pressure of the springs may be adjusted by means of the nut j at the head, or end of the finger which passes through the bar, whereby compensation may be had for the wear and loss of power of the springs after long continued use.

By slotting the bar A, and passing the head of the finger through it, each finger can be taken off or put on without any interference with any of the other fingers, whereas, if the bar were solid and the finger slotted, each finger must be slipped over the end of the bar, and therefore, when it is desired to remove any finger, all of the fingers between it and the end of the bar must be removed in rder to let it be taken off and replaced.

I do not wish to confine myself to this style of spring or springs, as a variety of spring devices can be used for the same purpose, the object being simply to allow the adjusting of the fingers either way, by merely pushing them so that they immediately engage where desired.

Moreor fewer fingers can be employed as may be required.

The end finger B is longer than the others, and for the purpose of adjusting it laterally, I pivot the'finger proper at h to the part that sets in the bar A, so that it can be swung in any direction desired to engage with-the paper and hold it in position. For instance, when a long sheet of paper is being printed only at one end, the finger can be swung out as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, whereas, it a smaller sheet is being used the finger can be swung in the opposite direction. The set screw which forms the pivot for the arm can be tightened to hold the arm in position after it has been properly adjusted, and loosened when it is desired to change it again.

By making the ends of the fingers pointed, as shown in Fig. 1, and slightly tapered on top, as shown in Fig. 3, they may be so adj usted that the type can make an impression very near the edge of the paper without coming in contact with the fingers, and by having the under side of the finger fiat and substantially even with the side of the bar A, a

very firm pressure can be secured upon the paper. 7

I claim-- 1. In a press gripper,the combination, with a bar, of a finger secured thereto,.a spring about the head of the finger forengaging with the bar, a second spring and means for 2 soaoeo holding said springs in place and for adjusting their tension for engaging with the first mentioned spring, substantially as set forth.

2. In a press gripper, the combination, with a longitudinally slotted bar, of a finger, the head of which projects through the slot in the bar, and a spring secured upon the head of the finger, the ends of which spring are each provided with a projection that fits within the slot and prevents the end from becoming disconnected from the bar, substantially as set forth.

3. In a press gripper, the combination, with a longitudinally slotted bar, of a finger secured therein, the head of which projects through the bar, a spring secured upon the head of the finger, the ends of which are each slotted longitudinally and has its central portion bent downward to form a tongue to fit in the slot of the bar, substantially as set forth.

4. In a press gripper, the combination, with a longitudinally slotted bar, of a finger secured therein, the head of the finger being fiat to fit in the slot of the bar and having its upper end projecting beyond the bar, said finger being provided with a shoulder to engage with one edge of the bar, and means for drawing the shoulder against the edge of the bar and securing the finger in position, substantially as set forth.

5. In a press gripper, the combination, with a bar, of a finger, the head of which is shouldered and provided with means for connecting it with the bar, and the opposite end is pointed, and tapered upon its upper surface, and the under surface is flat and substantially even with the under surface of the bar, substantially as set forth.

6. In a press gripper, the combination, with a bar, of a jointed finger secured thereto, the head of the finger being provided with a shoulder to engage with one edge of the bar, and having its end projected beyond the other edge of the bar and screw threaded, a nut upon the screw threaded portion of the head, a spring between the nut and the bar, and a set screw through the joint of the finger for holding the free end in its adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK XAVIER MULLER. Witnesses:

J. R. DRAKE, JOHN F. BURKE. 

